USMC (retired) John Ballenger

Show Notes

EP83: SWING the BAT with Jeff Horn, Entrepreneur and Former 2-Sport College Athlete

About the Guest

Jeff Horn is a former collegiate athlete who has leveraged his passion for sports and teamwork into a successful career in entrepreneurship. With a history in banking technology and business development, Jeff took the life lesson of “swinging the bat” from his sporting days to become a business leader. He co-founded and now serves as the CEO of Masked Rider Capital, a hybrid between a private equity firm and a family office, operating in Lubbock, Texas. His journey also involves navigating personal challenges and using them as stepping stones to success. Jeff is a testament to continuous personal growth and contributing back to the community.

Summary

In this captivating episode of “Becoming UnDone,” host Toby Brooks welcomes Jeff Horn, a true embodiment of resilience and relentless growth. As a former athlete turned prolific entrepreneur, Jeff shares his inspiring journey from the playing field to the competitive business arena, drawing parallels that are sure to pique listeners’ interest.

Once a promising baseball and football player whose career was derailed by injury, Jeff exemplifies how early setbacks become fodder for future triumphs. The lessons learned on the field translated into his entrepreneurial spirit, where, fueled by a ‘swing the bat’ philosophy, he took calculated risks that led to his leadership role at Masked Rider Capital. The conversation delves into the importance of adaptability, resilience, and the determination to build a great life amidst uncertainty and change. With SEO-centric language that includes entrepreneurship, leadership, risk-taking, and personal development, this summary aims to attract an audience keen on self-improvement and business acumen.

Key Takeaways

  • Success is often preceded by failures and setbacks, which serve as valuable learning experiences.

  • Embracing change and taking calculated risks are essential for personal and professional growth.

  • The importance of having a supportive partner and mentor in overcoming adversity and achieving success.

  • The significance of giving back to the community that fosters one’s growth.

  • Understanding one’s purpose beyond professional identity is key to navigating life’s transitions.

    Notable Quotes

    • “Swing the bat. You only get one chance.”
    • “Just because you’re successful doesn’t mean you’ve always won.”
    • “There’s only one constant, and that’s change.”
    • “Sometimes people with more wisdom and experience can see what people can become rather than the people themselves.”

    Resources

    Timestamp Summary
    0:00:00 Jeff Horn’s injury in his last playoff game and determination to catch up with his teammates.
    0:00:27 Jeff’s struggle in the baseball season and the lesson he learned from Coach Moegle.
    0:01:19 Introduction to Toby Brooks and his podcast, “Becoming UnDone.”
    0:02:05 Toby’s background as a speaker, author, and professor.
    0:03:09 Introduction to Jeff Horn and his journey as an entrepreneur.
    0:03:50 Discussion about Jeff and Toby’s sons playing football together.
    0:04:32 Jeff’s childhood dream of becoming a tax lawyer and getting into politics.
    0:05:06 Jeff’s athletic career in high school and winning a state title in baseball.
    0:05:41 Jeff’s recruitment process and decision to play football at Abilene Christian University.
    0:06:43 Jeff’s transition from high school to college athletics and the challenges he faced.
    0:08:04 Jeff’s decision to pursue football over baseball, but keeping baseball as an option.
    0:09:13 Jeff’s experience as a college freshman and the reality of college athletics.
    0:09:48 Jeff’s opportunity to try out for the baseball team at ACU.
    0:10:17 The transition from high school to college football and the challenges it brought.
    0:10:52 The commitment and dedication required for college sports.
    0:11:15 Jeff’s decision to focus on baseball and the coaching transition at ACU.
    0:12:39 The process of trying out for the baseball team at ACU and making the decision to pursue baseball.
    0:12:39 Toby and Jeff discuss the demands of being a dual sport collegiate athlete
    0:14:37 Jeff reflects on the transition out of competitive athletics and the challenges it brings
    0:16:49 Jeff talks about how his own experience with sports injuries helped him have conversations with his son
    0:19:12 Jeff shares how unexpected events, such as becoming a parent, changed his professional aspirations
    0:21:15 Jeff discusses how he entered the banking technology space and started his career
    0:23:59 Jeff talks about feeling the calling to take more risks and pursue entrepreneurship
    0:25:27 Toby and Jeff discuss the courage it takes to step away from a safe career and pursue one’s purpose
    0:25:27 Jeff’s decision to step out of his comfort zone and start his own business
    0:26:13 The difficult decision to leave a comfortable position and take risks
    0:27:07 The importance of taking risks for personal growth and success
    0:27:53 Jeff’s realization that success comes with risk and discomfort
    0:28:24 The support of Jeff’s wife in making the decision to start his own business
    0:29:11 The challenges and risks of starting a new business
    0:29:51 The origins of Masst Rider Capital and its evolution
    0:32:02 The impact of Dusty Womble, a mentor and partner, on Jeff’s success
    0:33:39 The satisfaction of giving back to the community through Masked Rider Capital
    0:37:23 The lessons learned from adversity and the importance of perseverance
    0:38:37 Jeff Horn reflects on his baseball experience and the lesson he learned from his coach.
    0:39:21 Jeff Horn talks about the importance of taking risks and believing in oneself.
    0:41:10 Jeff Horn discusses the impact of mentors and coaches in shaping his character.
    0:42:22 Jeff Horn and the host talk about the importance of teamwork and support systems.
    0:43:50 Jeff Horn shares the best piece of advice he received from his grandmother.
    0:45:51 Jeff Horn mentions two songs that would represent his life: “Remember When” by Alan Jackson and “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” by U2.
    0:47:11 Jeff Horn talks about his goals for his business and his family.
    0:49:45 Jeff Horn expresses gratitude for Lubbock Christian and discusses the next phase of his life as his son graduates.
    0:50:14 Jeff Horn encourages others to consider Lubbock Christian as a beneficial educational opportunity.
    0:51:39 Life after change and embracing change.
    0:52:26 Importance of embracing change for success.
    0:52:57 Outro: Jeff Horn’s journey and future guests.
    0:53:22 Call for inspiring stories from listeners.
    0:53:48 Preview of upcoming guests on the podcast.
    0:54:32 Outro and closing remarks.